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Prepping walls for painting is the difference between a finish that looks great from twoinches away and one that disappoints. Clean, dull, and dry surfaces help paintadhere, resist peeling, and avoid costly rework. This guide gives you a clear,step‑by‑stepplan with pro tips, tables, and FAQs you can use right now.
Lastmonth, a steamy bathroom repaint was failing because the homeowner skippedcleaning. We restarted by cleaning with TSP substitute, spot‑primedstains with shellac, and the new topcoat finally stuck. Prepping walls forpainting saved the day.
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1. Clean walls first with mild soap; use TSP orsugar soap in kitchens and baths; rinse and dry fully
2. Repair dents, nail holes, and cracks; featheredges; fix nail pops with mesh or paper tape
3. Scuff‑sand glossy paint 120, 150 grit;final smooth 180, 220 grit
4. Remove dust with a HEPA vacuum and a tack clothor microfiber dust mop
5. Run adhesion tests alcohol rub for oil vs latexand a cross‑hatch tape test
6. Choose the right primer PVA, bonding/adhesion,shellac or oil stain‑blocker, high‑build, or high‑hidingtinted
7. Full-prime for significant colour orshine changes; spot-prime repairs to avoid flashing
8. Caulk paintable gaps at trim and corners; followdry times
9. Protect flooring, manage humidity, paint with a wetedge, and cover the edges of smart burnish painter's tape.
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Cleaners: Mild detergent, TSP or TSP substitute sugar soap, degreaser for kitchen walls,mildew remover
Repair: Lightweight spackle, setting‑type joint compound 20 45 90,fiberglass mesh or paper tape, corner bead
Sanding and dust control: Pole sander, sanding sponge, drywall sanding screen, 120150 180 220 grit, HEPA shop vac, tack cloth
Primers: PVA primer new drywall, bonding primer glossy or oil‑painted,shellac or oil‑based stain‑blocking, high‑hidingtinted primer, high‑build surfacer
Protection: Painter’s tape delicate surface, masking film, rosin paper, canvas or plasticdrop cloths, hand masker
Painting gear: 2, 2.5 inch angled brush, lambswool or microfiber roller covers 3 8and 1 2 nap, foam rollers for ultra smooth, extension pole
Safety: Goggles, gloves, N95 or half‑face respirator with P100 filters,fans for ventilation
Optional: Moisture meter; denatured alcohol for oil vs latex testing
Light dust: A drop of mild soap and some warm water
Grease and hand oils: TSPor sugar soap; always rinse to remove residue
Kitchens and baths: Begrease first, then rinse and dry fully
Mildew: Treat witha proper cleaner or a 1 to 3 bleach solution; rinse and dry
Ventilate the room and wear gloves
Keep fresh patches minimally wet; let the wall dry before sanding or priming
Small holes and scratches: Lightweight spackle for easy sanding
Cracks and nail pops: Mesh or paper tape + setting‑type joint compound; feather edgesthinly
Peeling or flaking paint: Scrape back to firm edges, feather with 120, 150 grit,then prime those edges
Plaster or textured walls: Skim only where needed; don’t chase perfection endlessly
Glossy walls: Scuff to dull sheen or use a deglosser, then bonding primer
Dust removal: HEPA vacuum first, then a tack cloth or microfiber
Alcohol rub test:denatured alcohol softens latex; oil based stays hard. If oil, scuff and use abonding primer
Cross‑hatch tape test: Presspainter's tape, score a little # pattern, and pull. If paint lifts easily,increase cleaning, scuff sand, and prime
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Spot prime repairs to preventflashing
Full‑prime for major color changes,smoke remediation, or widespread repairs
Odor‑sealing primers help onsmoke‑damaged interiors
Steer clear of 100% silicone and use paintableacrylic latex or siliconised acrylic caulk instead.
Cut the tip at 45 degrees, lay a steady bead,smooth with a wet finger or caulk tool
Respect dry times before painting
For clean lines, use a putty knife to burnishthe edges of painter's tape.
Edge sealing trick: Lightly paintthe tape edge with the existing wall color before the new color
Remove outlet and switch covers; protect floors with rosin paper under canvas
Pull tape while paint is still freshto reduce tear‑out
Maintain a wet edge by cutting inand rolling each wall in sequence
Knock down or orange peel texture: Light scuff; do not sand it off; bonding primer if glossy
Plaster in older homes: Repair with setting type compound; skim where needed; be realistic about “goodenough”
Masonry or concrete: Remove efflorescence and prime with a masonry primer
Woodpaneling or laminate: Apply a bonding primer and scuff.
Wallpaper: If possible, remove; if not,properly prime and seal.
Raking light test to spot ridges
Palm test no dust should transfer
To verify adherence, perform a primer patch testand tape pull.
If this feels like a lot, it is prepping walls for painting is where pros win. If youwant help or a fast quote, our team is happy to step in.
Get a free estimate at wcpaintingservices
Yes. Wash walls before painting to remove dust, grease, and hand oils. Forlight filth, use mild soap; for bathrooms and kitchens, use TSP or sugar soap.Always rinse and let the wall dry.
Use 120, 150 grit to knock downrepairs and scuff glossy paint. Finish with 180–220 grit for a smooth surface.A pole sander speeds up large areas.
On clean, flat walls you cansometimes spot prime. On glossy or previously oil‑painted surfaces, scuff sandor degloss and use a bonding primer to prevent peeling.
Yes. Spot prime patched areas toprevent dull patches showing through. Full prime if you changed a lot of areasor are going from dark to light.
Do an alcohol rub test. Denaturedalcohol softens latex; oil stays hard. If it’s oil, scuff and apply a bondingprimer before latex paint.
If sound and previously painted with latex, alight scuff and quality paint may be enough. Use bonding primer if glossy orafter heavy repairs.
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